Kissing dating goodbye? - 01:27, Friday, April 24, 2009

I recently picked up a copy of this popular book: I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris.   I am reading thru it before giving it to my son, who is 16 yrs old. 

My husband and I have discussed the whole idea of "dating" practices at some length. Both of us dated. Both of us regret having done so.  We both want something different for our children. We have spoken at length with our children about remaining pure and keeping oneself for one's future spouse. But what about the concept of emotional purity? Keeping one's heart until God leads you to that special someone?

That is what this book is about.   Here is an excert from the book that I agree whole heartedly with:

" It's helpful to understand that the concept of "dating" is a relatively recent idea.  It hasn't been around forever. As I see it, dating is a product of our entertainment driven, disposable everything American culture.    At the turn of the 20th century the connection between intimacy and committment was much stronger that it is today.  usually a guy and girl became romantically involved only if they planned to marry. If a young man spent time at a girl's home, family and friends assumed that he intended to propose to her.  But shifting attitudes in culture and the arrival of the automobile brought radical changes. The new 'rules' allowed people to indulge in all the thrills of romantic love without having  any intention of marriage.  Intimacy didn't have to be accomplished by deepening obligation or responsibility to another person. Love and romance became things people could enjoy solely for their recreational value.  Since the 1920's intimacy and committment have only been further seperated.  "

" Christians agree that sexual intimacy outside the lifelong committment of marriage is sinful. The truth is, we have bought into our culture's self centered mindset. "  pg. 29-30

As believers , we understand that physical intimacy before marriage is sin, but do we view emotional intimacy -- the giving of our hearts as something that we should also guard and maintain for that special someone ?   That is what my husband and I have been thinking over lately. This whole idea of "recreational dating" doesn't sit well with us. 

I know some of you may be wondering "how" a person can find their mate if they don't date.  My answer to that is God not the God of impossibilities? Does He not say with Him all things are possible?

This past weekend I purchased a purity ring for my 16 yr old son. It's a lovely band of sterling silver.  My husband and I sat down with him and challenged him to not only live a life of sexual purity but also emotional purity as well.  We challenged him to place this area of his life squarely in the hands of the Lord. He listened closely. We had just watched a wonderful Christian film called " Come What May" and the movie dealt with this whole idea of forsaking recreational dating and chosing emotional and physical purity until the decision is made to marry.  I recommend the film to everyone.

After talking at length with our son, he took the challenge and placed the ring on his hand. He wears it as a reminder of his committment to his parents and to God. 

There may be many who read this who may think it odd to forsake modern dating methods.  My husband and both discussed how often our hearts were broken when we would become emotionally involved with someone - only to have it break up.  How different it could have been. Although we maintained our physical purity, we didn't keep our hearts guarded.

I gave the example to my son: What if somone wanted to borrow a large sum of money from him. What would he expect from the borrower? He said he would expect the loan to be repaid. He would want a committment of repayment. Right? Would he loan that large amount to someone who was not committed to repaying the loan? Obviously not. We made the parallel with dating. Don't date or court a girl until you can make a committment. Why play around with someone's heart? If the goal or intention is not to make a committment, but to just have "fun". It's most definately not fun, when a boy breaks up with a girl and vice versa. There is also the danger that after multiple break ups and heart aches the heart will begin to harden in response to protecting itself against further hurt.  Instead, why not keep one's heart guarded until one is sure one can make a committment? 

I did tell my son that there is nothing wrong with being friends with a girl for the sake of friendship. But solely dating or pairing up is best left for a time when  a committment can be realistically made.

I mean how many 16 yrs old mary who they are currently dating? I know there are a few exceptions to this, but in general most teens don't marry who they date as teens.

I haven't finished the book yet, but I am in agreement with what I am reading so far. I only wish my mom had read this when I was a young woman and challenged me!

I am hoping  & praying, for something different for my children,

Gloria

Orphan Train Series - 03:05, Tuesday, April 14, 2009

   I love it when I find a great "read aloud" book for my family, and I am always on the lookout for one so I thought I would share what we have been reading lately.

The Orphan Train Series is by author Arleta Richardson. She also wrote the "gramma's attic" series. These are wonderful books, based on real accounts of children who rode the orphan trains in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  These are wonderful faith promoting books! We have enjoyed them so much! The story focuses on the Cooper children - 4 children who have lost their mama and been abandoned by their father. They arrive at the Briarlane Children's Home in Penn. and the story shares their experiences there, but also their journey on the orphan train and then being placed in a home in the Midwest.  I especially loved the fact that these stories focus on the blessing of adoption , being that we are an adoptive family.

Wonderful books!

Gloria

Read Aloud - 02:12, Wednesday, March 18, 2009

 One of my favorite times of day is the evening time... after dinner and chores, and children are washed and cleaned up for bed... then we gather into the parlor where mom reads aloud.....

 This week we are reading a wonderful story by Author: Tracy Leininger: Alone yet not alone.

 Tracy is the author of the beautiful girlhood series that our girls have enjoyed.  This story is a true story passed down from her grandmother, about her ancestors  during the fall of 1755, living in the woods of Pennslyvania.  The story is about barbara and her younger sister regina who are captured during an native American raid.  This is a story of faith and trust in God. 

  We are halfway thru the book and love it!

  My kids can't wait each night to read more ........

 You can purchase it thru www.visionforum.com

  ~ gloria ~

Duggar Family -- 20 and counting! - 12:33, Friday, March 6, 2009

     I have been enjoying reading about the amazing Duggar Family! They recently wrote a book about their lives. I am really enjoying it, and I feel like it is a very transparent book about their day to day life. They are not pretentious, and I am especially inspired to their committment to debt free living! They do share their mishaps and mistakes they have made along the way too. Very down to earth.  Did you know they built their large family home debt free??!! I am inspired!

I really recommend this book. I found a copy at my local library and have been really enjoying it!

Most of all they give all the credit and glory to the Lord. 

An inspiring family that really is living a life of faith.

~ gloria ~

p.s. you can also go to their family website: www.duggarfamily.com and learn more about debt free living and also you can view video clips from their show on the Discovery channel.  We really enjoy the shows!

Elsie Dinsmore Fans - 01:38, Thursday, December 18, 2008

Shsh........ I picked up this lovely book for my daughter Hannah for her Christmas book this year.........

Hannah is a big fan of the famed Elsie Dinsmore books...... they are wonderful Christian stories written by Christian author, Martha Finley.  We also enjoy the other Life of faith books..... these are wonderful books for girls. You can learn more about them at www.elsiedinsmore.com

We picked up this book used for less than $2 thru amazon.com ...... it's in perfect condition.

She will be so excited!

~ gloria ~

Amy Carmichael - 01:24, Friday, October 31, 2008

I am just about finished reading this biography on the life of Amy Carmichael by Lois Hoodley Dick. Published by Moody Press.  This book focuses on her work in India. It is hard book to read. Amy dedicated her life to serving children. She especially had a heart for the children who were in the Hindu temples that had been used as temple prostitutes. At times as I was reading I could feel myself cringing at the accounts of what these children endured.  But I am encouraged by the life of Amy who gave and gave and gave...... her life was a living sacrifice.

 Amy's life was not an easy one. She literally gave her life to God's work.  She writes the following:

" Onward Christian soldiers,

Sitting on the mats,

Nice and warm and cozy,

Like little cats.

Onward Christian Soldiers,

Oh , how brave are we,

Don't we do our fighting

Very comfotably?

~ amy carmichael from God's Madcap ~

Ouch! As Christians living in the United States, sometimes I am hit by how "easy" we have it here..... how little is asked of us and how much more we could to advance the Lord's cause.  Reading this book made me very uncomfortable for many reasons.  It pricked me and convicted me that truly to become a living sacrifice we are not to expect an "easy" life . ALL great women and men of the faith endured trials, challenges and hardships.

When Jesus said "pick up your cross and follow me" He was certainly not lying.

Am I willing to bear the cross? Am I willing to get out of my comfort zone?  Am I willing to become a willing sacrifice?

Something to think about,

gloria